By asking for his release, Johnson walked away from the remaining
$23 million on his
contract.

Teams would have been reluctant to trade for Johnson because of
the amount of money remaining on his contract and because he is
turning 34 this summer.

His targets and total receiving
yards also have decreased each of the last three seasons. Last
year he finished 936 receiving yards, his lowest in a season in
which he played 10 or more games since 2005.

Johnson is now a free agent and can sign with any team that
offers him a contract.
Johnson is reportedly interested in the Seahawks, Colts,
Packers, and Patriots. Johnson still has value, but it's unlikely
a team would sign him to a contract similar to what he just left
behind with the Texans.

According to McClain, Johnson met with Texans coach Bill O'Brien
weeks ago and was told his role would be reduced in the 2015
season.

It did not sit well with Johnson who said:

"I don’t know how you tell a guy who catches 85 balls that he’ll
only probably catch 40. I feel like the role they were trying to
put me in I’d be held back from maximizing my talents. I feel
like that was the best thing for both sides. Why sit there
and be miserable when I can go somewhere else and be able to show
my talents."

Perhaps by asking for a
release, Johnson and his agent have reason to believe they can
make up the money he's be losing elsewhere, but it's a risk
nonetheless for a player on the backend of his career.